In this image from 2010, Sister Marie-Claude Naddaf arrives for the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East at the Vatican, accompanied by Msgr. Philippe Brizard, former director of the aid agency L’Oeuvre d’Orient. (photo: CNS/Paul Haring)

Today, we received an email from Michel Constantin, CNEWA’s regional director in Beirut, with some important news on the work being undertaken to support our suffering brothers and sisters in Iraq.

Michel notes he will be visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in early September — to coordinate better our activities to expedite relief — and he’ll have some company:

The Union of the Superior Generals of women religious in Lebanon decided to participate in this visit, to show solidarity with other congregations and sisters working in Iraq. Sister Marie-Claude Naddaf (superior general of the Good Shepherd Sisters) will represent the union and accompany CNEWA in this visit.

The president of the union, Sister Judith Haroun, has asked all member congregations to contribute financially and to collect funds to help the following congregations at work in Iraq:

The Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena

The Chaldean Sisters of Mary

The Sacred Heart Sisters

The Syrian Catholic Ephremite Sisters

The Franciscan Sisters

Michel also noted that CNEWA will be coordinating its work with Sister Marie-Claude to make sure funds will be distributed where they can do the most good and have the greatest impact.

At a time when so many in Iraq are feeling desperate, overwhelmed and forgotten, this visit from Sister Marie-Claude and others can be a powerful and consoling witness — and, God willing, a beacon of hope. CNEWA is proud to be able to lend our support and to stand alongside these sisters and so many others who are bringing the love of Christ to those who today are so desperately in need.

Won’t you join us? To help Iraqi Christians under seige, just visit this page — and you will stand with us as we stand with them.